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Vandy Grift Inner circle Milwaukee 3504 Posts |
I just read on another thread that a gentleman had landed a gig at the Bristol Rennaisance Faire. (congrats)
Now, I've lived in Milwaukee most of my life and I have heard and seen those commercials for the Fair on TV for 25 years. I been past the Fairgrounds hundreds of times. But I've never attended. Also, I was never really aware of the Ren Faire Magician genre until recently. Is this considered to be a "good" Fair as compared to other Fairs around the country? Do the same people operate the Fairs nationwide? I think I'll have to go this year and check it out. I have a couple of friends that have gone several times and have had a great time, they have even asked me to go but it never really intrested me. I didn't know they had magic there. Have I been missing out on a treasure right in my own backyard? Vandy
"Get a life dude." -some guy in a magic forum
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MagiUlysses Special user Kansas City 504 Posts |
Greetings and Salutations,
I'll preface my remarks with my standard disclaimer: you will either love ren fests and thus kick yourself repeatedly for not having gone year after year, or you can pass on them completely and will never go again or only go when dragged there. In my experience there are few people in between. As for myself, unless the cards stack up just right, I'll miss this season for the first time in five years, and I live in the Kansas City area. I know some good people at Bristol -- performers, vendors, and playtrons who I look forward to seeing every year. In my experience, Bristol rates well with the faires at Arizona and Colorado, is bigger that the Kansas City faire, and smokes my home faire in St. Louis. Then again, in defense of St. Louis, Bristol is 20 years older. The rest of my experience runs to much smaller faires that cannot compete on the scale of Bristol. My girlfriend's been to the Texas Renaissance Festival, and according to her and Bill Palmer, it is the grand-daddy of all faires in every regard. Some faires are independently owned, several of the larger faires are owned by management companies, and I suspect there's a mix in-between. And, yes, taking into account my initial disclaimer, I think you've been missing out on a treasure. That's my $.02 (USD) worth. YMMV Joe in KC "Live a great adventure, make magic happen, have an interesting life!" |
Vandy Grift Inner circle Milwaukee 3504 Posts |
Thanks Joe,
I think I know where your coming from with the disclaimer. Since I've never gone, even though I've known about it for years suggests I'm not that intrested. That being said; if they have beer, food, lovely ladies in period costume and a magician it can't be all bad. LOL I'm definately going to check it out this year. A cup of mead and a giant turkey leg sounds like it would hit the spot. Thanks for the info, Vandy
"Get a life dude." -some guy in a magic forum
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Dave V Inner circle Las Vegas, NV 4824 Posts |
Quote:
On 2005-04-22 15:37, Vandy Grift wrote: You mean you actually intend to eat one of those things???
No trees were killed in the making of this message, but a large number of electrons were terribly inconvenienced.
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Vandy Grift Inner circle Milwaukee 3504 Posts |
Quote:
On 2005-04-22 15:41, Dave VanVranken wrote: Hey, if you're gonna go you gotta do it right. LOL
"Get a life dude." -some guy in a magic forum
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MagiUlysses Special user Kansas City 504 Posts |
Greetings,
Now, I'm not saying anything about Bristol as all the food I've ever had there has always been first rate, but I still follow advice I got years ago: always get the turkey after noon (that way you know it's been cooked through and through, if you take my meaning). And, yes, what initially attracted me to renfest were the bawdy wenches, the cold ales and cigars -- at the time, nearly 10 years ago, I was a patron wandering around in civilian clothes and had never even seen the cups & balls. And now look at me ... cursed ren faires! Joe in KC |
Bill Palmer Eternal Order Only Jonathan Townsend has more than 24312 Posts |
Regarding TRF -- It was founded by the Coulam Brothers, who also founded the Minnesota Faire and the Utah Faire. The Utah Faire was not really successful, because Mormons don't drink alcohol, and that cut into the concessions. But they leraned on that one and moved to Minnesota. They used the profits from Minnesota to buy the land in Texas.
They sold the Minnesota Faire, and now own only the Texas Faire. George Coulam is the major stockholder and he makes ultimate decisions. Jeff Baldwin is the general manager. I don't know who the ED is. Once I saw that glorious view of the Faire (in my rear view mirror doing 70 MPH down FM 1774) for the last time, I decided not to go back.
"The Swatter"
Founder of CODBAMMC My Chickasaw name is "Throws Money at Cups." www.cupsandballsmuseum.com |
Vick Inner circle It's taken me 10+ years to make 1120 Posts |
I've attended Ren Fairs in Maryland (my home fair), Pennsylvania, Virgina (which once upon a time had a great permanent location now it is a wandering tent city type fair) and Deerfield Beach, Florida
All I can say is just go, you'll have a great time I have never and will most likely never work a Ren Fair. Been asked why by quite a few and the truth is I have too much fun and tend to um.... drink a little too much to be working. Think what you will, that I may be missing out on a great opportunity by lacking a little self control but I know the fun I have, my boundaries, how to and when to be a professional and when I don't want to be The Maryland fair is one of the best in country but the management is a little uptight. Almost everything is a permanent structure. On good days there can be up to 20,000 patrons through the gate All stage acts, no pathway or strolling (with the exception of a few musicians). Johnny Fox has been working there for as long as I remember and I've had the pleasure of becoming friends of a sort with him over the years. Last year he took the time to sit and speak with me on a few occasions about work and magic. I learned more from him in a few hours that one would think possible. For that I owe him a great debt and he has my undying gratitude (for what ever that is worth) Pennsylvania is also a good fair in a permanent location at Mount Hope Estate Winery but runs the same time (with the exception of opening weekend) as the Maryland Fair The Virginia fair saddened me last year. The day I went I believe there were more staff, performers and tradespeople than patrons. Deerfield Beach, Florida was a good fair as well. Mix of permanent structures and tents. Was in a very beautiful park with waterways and if I recall a lake Obviously I can't say much about working the Ren Fairs (even though I've made friends with quite a few performers, it some cases it's helped me outside of the fairs) but for attending you can't imagine a better time and more fun, good food and great shopping Did I mention I met my Fiancée at last year's Fair in Maryland? ;-)
Unique, Thought Provoking & Amazing Magical Entertainment Experiences
Illusions By Vick Blog of a real world working magician Magic would be great, if not for magicians |
bropaul Loyal user Florida 222 Posts |
This is my 16th year at the Minnesota Renaissance Festival. All I can say is that it's a great venue for street or stage shows. If nothing else, you work! I usually work 4 to 5 stage shows per day. 45 minutes. 2 days a week. 7 to 8 weeks in a row. I also like to busk the streets a much as possible. Now that gives me over 75 stage shows in a 2 month period.
I like to use it to work out new material that I use the rest of the year for my corporate gigs. With 10 shows a weekend, you can put something in on Saturday morning and by Sunday night you know if it is going somewhere, or you can drop it. So the working experience is great. As for where and when, just do an Internet search and you will find over 100 Renaissance Festivals nationwide form one weekend and up. Most run about 6 to 8 weekends. Pay can very... A Lot. You can expect to start around $100.00 per day and within a couple of years get up to 3 to 5 hundred. Then you have your hats. Those are around 2 to 3 hundred per day. So it can be a nice gig. I've done the California shows, TRF, Colorado, Arizona, Bristol, Lake Tahoe, Fair Oaks, and a few 1 weekenders here and there. I'll be in Colorado and Minnesota again this summer. So I say check them out. Make some dough and have a bunch of fun. |
Dave V Inner circle Las Vegas, NV 4824 Posts |
Quote:
On 2005-04-23 00:03, Vick wrote: You gotta watch out for that. I ended up marrying the girl I met at the Ren Faire two years before. We were married at the Ojai CA Faire. We blended traditional with old world ceremonies, including tributes to the elements and the Green Man, and a hand fasting. The ceremony was presided over by a friar, we had madrigal singers, and Kintyre Friekorp was our "honor guard." We celebrated the event into the wee hours by draining a case of meade. Pics are posted on my website in the "Friends and Family" folder.
No trees were killed in the making of this message, but a large number of electrons were terribly inconvenienced.
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Vick Inner circle It's taken me 10+ years to make 1120 Posts |
That's a great story Dave
My wishes for all the best for you both
Unique, Thought Provoking & Amazing Magical Entertainment Experiences
Illusions By Vick Blog of a real world working magician Magic would be great, if not for magicians |
Allan Given Regular user 169 Posts |
Bristol seems to be a pretty good faire...though since I'm originally from Phoenix and have been to that faire since its inception, I'm just happy that Bristol is not in the middle of the desert with temperatures in the high 110's... My wife and I have been commenting how nice it is to go to Bristol and not be surrounded by cacti...somehow those just seem to take away from the period atmosphere!
When I lived in Dallas for a short time, I heard that Scarborough Faire was fantastic, but unfortunately, we never made it down to see it... Allan |
isaacfawlkes Loyal user FL 256 Posts |
Quote:
On 2005-04-22 17:18, Bill Palmer wrote: Jeff Baldwin is also the Entertainment Director. And in MHO one of the best in the country. Performers are treated well, paid fairly and respected. In short Treated as professionals something that is sadly lacking at many fairs. Isaac Fawlkes |
Scott Xavier Inner circle 3672 Posts |
After my mentor left bristol last year, I tried out. I was told flat out: We don't like magicians here. We will offer you another position as a town crier and you could do magic in that position if you want, but it's a non-paying job.
Now I could have taken it and busked, but it's an hour away from my house.... Be warned! I can't respect a place that makes you go through 6 weeks of training, has attrocious rules, and then doesn't compensate you! I feel like I would be destroying our art. It's like the guy who sent me a coporate gig for 3 hours and was only charging $75 an hour. I politely turned it down. That's an insult! But, I hope the other guys getting paid, perhaps Susan Fry realized what a draw magic is and had a change of heart, or maybe myself and the other performer who were auditioning in 04 sucked? I doubt it, but good luck to the new mystery performer if he/she see's this. |
Tawkin2ya New user 50 Posts |
I would just like to say that I am one of those people who has been kicking himself repeatedly for not checking out Ren Faires earlier. About 4 years ago, we went to a Faire that is only 5 minutes away from the campground that we have our summer trailer at. The very first performer that I saw was none other than Isaac Fawlkes-Renaissance Magician! Isaac is a terrific performer that I would love to see post more on this board, he has some wonderful routines and some great lines! Sadly, Isaac won't be at Great Lakes Medieval Faire this year, but I'm looking forward to seeing him at the Ohio Renaissance Festival in August. By all means check out the Faires in your area, some of my favorite performers are all Ren Faire performers!
Ray |
Bill Palmer Eternal Order Only Jonathan Townsend has more than 24312 Posts |
Quote:
On 2005-05-01 02:50, Scott Xavier wrote: That's not uncommon for renaissance festivals. Even now, first year performers of all types may be asked to serve one season strictly as a busker. It separates the wheat from the chaff. It may also be that the person who is in charge of the festival has been pressured by the current magician not to take on any more magicians. I remember working Scarborough Faire one year when there were FIVE magicians. That's too many. It could also be that they were getting plenty of free acts from the SCA. This is not uncommon. Quote:
Be warned! I can't respect a place that makes you go through 6 weeks of training, has attrocious rules, and then doesn't compensate you! I feel like I would be destroying our art. I understand why they need the training, especially for first year performers. I doubt that the rules at Bristol are any more atrocious than they are at any other festival. Most of the rules are common sense anyway. Some are based on good theatrical practice. Remember, at a renaissance festival, you are creating the illusion of living a long time ago. If you can't maintain that, you should be working elsewhere. That's not a critique. It's a general observation. Most festivals have two levels of participant. There are the people who belong to the "performing company" -- generally unpaid or paid low money -- and people who are "acts." That's what you want to be. If you had a mentor who worked Bristol, then you probably didn't need to worry about having the right kind of material. But having auditioned literally hundreds of acts for TRF, I can tell you how much truly inappropriate material is performed at auditions. You haven't lived until you see someone else auditioning with your act. Quote:
But, I hope the other guys getting paid, perhaps Susan Fry realized what a draw magic is and had a change of heart, or maybe myself and the other performer who were auditioning in 04 sucked? I doubt it, but good luck to the new mystery performer if he/she see's this. Magic is not necessarily a draw. For some people magic is a colossal turn-off. Good entertainers are draws. That's what you have to aspire to. Good advertising on the part of the festival brings more people through the gates than anything else. It can make or break a festival.
"The Swatter"
Founder of CODBAMMC My Chickasaw name is "Throws Money at Cups." www.cupsandballsmuseum.com |
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